Harbaugh Has Private Workout with QB Prospect

Two NFL head coaches attended Jimmy Garoppolo’s pro day on Tuesday: Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans and Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers.

Two NFL head coaches attended Jimmy Garoppolo’s pro day on Tuesday: Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans and Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers.

After Harbaugh spent Monday reviewing draft prospects during a film session with general manager Trent Baalke, the 49ers coach left for his annual trip to evaluate college players. Apparently the first stop was to visit with the Eastern Illinois passing prospect, who is NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock’s fifth-rated quarterback in the 2014 draft class.

Harbaugh made a conspicuous appearance at Garoppolo’s pro day. He attended the workout held at Northwestern University in his typical gameday garb: black fleece and khaki pants.

Harbaugh also reportedly gave Garoppolo a private workout following his public showing. The 49ers coach gave Colin Kaepernick a private workout on his pro day, too.

Garoppolo, a 6-foot-2, 226-pound passer with a quick release, was named as the FCS Player of the Year after he threw for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior. The Eastern Illinois also broke school passing records held by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Following the workout, Harbaugh shared his thoughts on Garoppolo’s throwing motion to Eric Edholm of Yahoo.com.

“Quick release yes, but sometimes too quick,” the 49ers coach and quarterback guru said. “You want to see him go through the whole motion.”

According to Edholm, Harbaugh approached the young quarterback, introduced himself and said, "Wanna throw a little?"

Garoppolo was up for it. The coach and quarterback proceeded to throw and talk football for 45 minutes.